Insulated wall construction



Sept. 6, 1960 Filed 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 I 7 2/ 0 /6 /8 fix. 5 Z2 2 f T 5 5 5 5% 2* ,M /3 m /5 M 2+ /7 /8 J INVENTOR DANIEL W. DONNELLY AT TORNEYS Sept. 6, 1960 D. w. DONNELLY INSULATED WALL CONSTRUCTION 4 $heets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 18, 1957 INVENTOR DANIEL W.DONNELLY BY W /%//222 %Q-- ATTORNEYS Sept. 6, 1960 D. w. DONNELLY INSULATED WALL CONSTRUCTION 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 18, 1957 INVENTOR DANIEL W. DONNELLY ATTORNEYS INSULATED WALL CONSTRUCTION Daniel W. Donnelly, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor to Ben- Hur Mfg. Company, Milwaukee, Wis.

Filed Feb. 18, 1957, Ser. No. 640,894

7 Claims. ('Cl. 220-15) This invention appertains to an insulated wall construction for farm and home freezers, refrigerators and the like, and more particularly to novel means for connecting the breaker strip with edges of the inner and outer wall shells at the open top or front, as the case may be, of the body or the cabinet of the freezer or refrigerator.

In all constructions, with which I am familiar, great difficulty is experienced in properly securing the inner or sub-breaker strip with the edges of the inner and outer wall shells. Usually, clamps are provided for bringing and holding the wall shells in an exact desired, spaced relation for receiving the breaker strip, after which screws are driven home in aligned openings formed in the breaker strip and the breaker strip supporting flanges on the shells. Obviously, this is time consuming, and a costly operation.

It is one of the primary objects of my invention to provide novel means for bridging and firmly uniting the edges of inner and outer wall shells of a freezer or refrigerator by a rigid strip having low heat conduct-ingv properties, in such a manner that the strip can be pressed in place into engagement with the wall shells irrespective of slight irregularities in distance between the shells, with means thereafter for holding the strip firmly and rigidly in position by the bending or rolling down of clamping flanges or like members, whereby to dispense with holding screws and the difliculties contingent with the aligning of screw openings, etc.

Another salient object of my invention is to provide the wall shells with outwardly extending holding and locating flanges and the sub-breaker strip with longitudinally extending grooves in its inner face for receiving the holding flanges when the sub-breaker strip is pressed into place, with bendable clamp flanges or the like carried by the shells rolled into intimate gripping contact with the outer face of the breaker strip.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and formation of parts, as will be hereinafter more specifically described and claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which drawings,

Figure l is a perspective view of one well known type of freezer having my invention incorporated therewith;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view through the upper portion of one wall of the cabinet or body of the freezer, the view illustrating one preferred means of associating the sub-breaker strip with the inner and outer shells of the wall, the section being taken on the line 2--2 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, but showing the position of the clamping flanges prior to the pressing of the breaker strip in place;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, but showing the sub-breaker strip in place and firmly clamped by the rolling down of the clamping flanges;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary top plan view of one wall Patented Sept. 6, 1960 of the cabinet or body with parts thereof broken away and in section to illustrate structural detail;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view through the upper portion of a cabinet wall showing another form of my improved breaker strip holding means, the section being taken on the line 66 of Figure 7, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary top plan view of one wall of the cabinet with parts thereof broken away and in section to illustrate that form of my invention shown i Figure 6;

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view through the upper portion of a wall of cabinet showing a still further form of my invention, and

Figure 9 is a fragmentary top plan view of one wall of a cabinet showing that formof my invention illustrated in Figure 8.

Referring tothe drawings in detail, wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter F generally indicates a freezer ofjthe farm or home type, and the same includes an open body or cabinet B normally closed by a hinged cover C.

In the drawings, the freezer F has been shown to be of the chest type, but it is to be understood that my invention can be applied to freezers and refrigerators of the upright type, and that the invention relates to a Wall and breaker strip construction, as will now appear.

In the present showing, the body or cabinet B includes front and rear walls 10 and 11 and end walls 12. These walls each include inner and outer wall shells 13 and 14. The space between the shells is packed with any desired type of heat insulating material 15.

in accordance with my invention, the outer edges of the shells 13 and 14 are rolled inwardly and downwardly back upon themselves to provide marginal edge flanges 16, and these flanges in turn have formed thereon inwardly extending supporting flanges 17 of a desired width; These flanges 17 also function to hold the material, 15 in place and these flanges overlie the material 15. Welded, or otherwise secured to the supporting flanges 17 are longitudinally extending lock strips 18. The inner edges of the lock strips 18 have formed thereon upwardly extending gripping flanges 19 and these flanges terminate decidedly short of the outer edges of the marginal flanges 16. The outer edges of the lock strips 18 are bent back upon themselves, as at 20, to form spacer flanges and these flanges abut against the inner surface of the marginal flanges 16. The strips 18 are continued and extend outwardly of the spaced flanges 20 to form confining walls 21 and these walls 21 in turn carry bendable clamping flanges 22.

If desired, a slight crease or groove can be provided at the juncture of the walls 21 and clamping flanges 22, so as to define these flanges and so as to facilitate the bending or rolling of the flanges, as will later appear. It is to be understood that this is optional.

To insulate the inner and outer shells one from the other and to firmly join these shells, I employ an inner or sub-breaker strip 23. This breaker strip 23 is formed from rigid material having low heat conducting properties and high mechanical strength, such as compressed fiberboard. The inner face of the strip 23 has formed therein longitudinally extending grooves 24. These grooves are located adjacent to but spaced from their side edges.

With the lock strips 18 in position and the clamp flanges 22 in a straight position, parallel with the walls 21, the breaker strip 23 is pressed into place with the grip flanges 19 entering the grooves 24. As the grooves are relatively wide in comparison to the width of the grip flanges 19, slight irregularities in distance between inner and outer wall shells 13 and 14 can be taken care of. The natural tendency of the shells is'to spring outwardly, and in actual practice the grip flanges 19 will firmly contact the outer walls of the grooves 24, as best shown in Figure 2 of the drawings. With'the breaker strip 23 pressed in place,the clamp flanges 2'2are'now rolleddown into intimatepressingcontact'withthe=uppersurface of the breaker strip, as'best-shown in'Figures 2 and 4. Hence, theme of fastening screws is entirely eliminated and the breaker strip 23=itself, formsthe means for holding the wall shells 13 and 14 in proper spaced relation. The wall construction can now be completed'by the use of an outer trim or 'breakerstrip 25. This breaker strip can be formed fromrribberorsome similar material. A suitable adhesive or mastic can be employed for securing the finishing strip' inpl-ace. 'In 'Figures 6 and 7, I have shown a slightly modified form of my invention, and in this form the outer wall shells "'13 and '14 are bent inwardly and downwardly back upon themselves to form upright marginal flanges 26. The lower edges of these flanges have formed thereon inwardly extendingsupporting'flanges 27. The inner edges of these 'supporting flanges 27 have struck up therefrom at equidistantly spaced points,gripping lugs or flanges 28. Struck out from the body portion of the supporting flanges 27,'-at spaced points and between the gripping lugs or flanges 28 are upwardly extending walls or arms 29- and theex-treme upper-edges of these arms have formed thereon bendable clamping fingers 30. During the forming of "the wall, the clamping fingers 30 are parallel with the wallsor arms 29, similar to the bendable clamping flanges 22 illustrated inthe first form of the invention. It is to be noted that the walls or arms 29 are Wider than the gripping lugs or flanges 28 and that the same are spaced from the marginal flanges '26, for a purpose which will later appear. With the clamp fingers 30 in an upright position, the wall is ready to receive the inner or subbreaker strip 31 and this breaker strip is provided on its inner face with longitudinally extending grooves 32. In this form of the invention, the sub-breaker strip is pressed firmly inplace so that the grip flanges or lugs 28 will ride into the grooves 32 with the edges of the breaker strip engaging the inner faces of the walls or arms 29. The fingers are now firmly bent down into clamping gripping contact with the upper face of the sub-breaker strip 31. A flat trim or outer breaker strip 33 is now placed on the sub-breaker strip 31 so as to cover the clamping fingers 30, and if desired a suitable adhesive or mastic can be employed to bond the trim strip 33 with the breaker strip 31. Marginal trim strips 34 of rubber or some similar material are employed for enclosing the marginal flanges 26 of-the wall shells 13 and 14. The inner faces of the marginal trim strips 34 are provided with longitudinally extending grooves 35 for receiving the marginal flanges 26 and these grooves 35 define inwardly extending compressible ribs 36 which are forced into the spaces between the marginal flanges 26 and the Walls or arms 29. In'Figures 8 and 9a still further preferred form of the invention is shown and in this form the inner and outer wall'shells 13 and 14 have formed thereon inwardly and downwardly bent back flanges 37. These flanges are disposed -at an incline to the wall shells 13 and 14. 'The lower edges of these bent back flanges have formed thereon inwardly directed supporting flanges 38 and these flanges 38 in turn have-formed on their extreme inner marginal edges upwardly and inwardly inclined gripping flanges 39. The gripping flanges 39 and the bent back flanges 37 form in effect dovetail shaped retaining grooves. The gripping flanges '39 terminate a material distance below the marginal outer edges of the wall shells 13 .and 14. "In this construction, I employ a Sub-breaker strip 40 having formed on its lower face longitudinally extending grooves 41. .The grooves 41 extend inwardly at an angle to thevertical. "The outer longitudinal edges -ofithe breaker strip 40 are tapered upwardly and inwardly, .as at '42, and hencethe grooves 41 and the inclined edges 42 form in "effect longitudinally extending dovetail shaped ribs or tongues. The breaker strip itself is of a slightly less width than the distance between the marginal wall shells 13 and 14 and the inclined flanges 37. With the upper edges of the marginal wall shells 13 and 14 formed as described the breaker strip is laid on the inwardly inclined gripping flanges 39 andthe breaker strip is then forcibly pressed'into'place so that'the gripping flanges will spring into the grooves 41. A flat trim strip 43 is now secured to the upper face of the sub-breaker strip 40 and marginal trirnstrips 44 are employed for finishing off the wall and-for holding the sub-breaker strip firmly in place. The marginal trim strips 44 can be formed from rubber or some similar desirable material. The lower faces of the marginal trim strips 44 are provided with longitudinally extending grooves 45 and the inner walls of these grooves are inclined upwardly and outwar'dly andthe-grooves define inwardly extendingcompressible-longitudinally extending ribs 46 and these ribs 'extend'at an angle'to the vertical. The ribs 46 are forcibly urgedinto the spaces between the marginal inclined edges 42 ofthesub-breaker strip 40 and the inturned flanges 37. These compressible ribs function tofirmly secure the sub-breaker strip in place. If desired, a suitable adhesive or mastic canbe employed betweenthetrirn strips 44 'andadj-acent parts.

From the foregoing description, it can be seen that 'I have provided an exceptionally simple but effective means for placing 'an'd'holding sub-breaker strips in place and that -the sub-breaker strips themselves form an eflicient means tospace and hold the-wall shells a proper distance apart. It is to be also noted that in the two forms of my invention shown, respectively, in Figures 6 and 7, and in Figures 8 and 9, that parts of the shells themselves are employed for uniting the sub-breaker strip with" the wall.

Changesin idetails-may be made without departing from the spirit or the scope of this invention, but what I claim as new is:

1. In an insulated wall construction for freezers, refrigerators and'the like of the type including inner and outer wall shells; inwardly directed supporting flanges carried by the marginal-edges of the shells, a breaker strip fitted Lon the flanges and bridging said shells, longitudinally extending gripping flanges carried by the supporting flanges, ,said breaker strip having spaced apart longitudinally extending grooves receivingsaid gripping flanges, and clamp flanges carried by the supporting 'flangesfirmly engaging the outer face of the breaker strip and ,pressingsaid breaker strip against the supporting flanges with the gripping flanges in said grooves.

12. In an insulated wall construction for freezers, refrigerators and the like. of the type including inner and outer spaced parallel wall shells; inwardly directedsupporting'flanges'carried by .the wall shells and extending at right angles thereto, a sub-breaker strip fitted on .said flanges and bridging the shells,.said flanges carrying longitudinally disposed outwardly extending gripping flanges arranged inspaced parallel relation to the shells,.said sub-breaker strip having longitudinally extending grooves in its inner face receiving the. gripping flanges, and longi tudinally extending bendable clamping flanges carried by the supporting flanges forcibly bent intoclamping con tact with the .outer face of the breakerstrip adjacent to its marginaledges and in spaced parallel relation to said supporting flanges.

3. In an insulated wall construction for freezers, refrigerators and the like of the type including inner and outer spaced parallel wall shells; inwardly directed sup,- por'ting flanges formed on said wall shellsand disposed inwardly of the outer marginal edges thereof, fastening strips rigidly secured to the flanges having longitudinally extending gripping flanges formed on their inner edges .and outwardly extending side walls, a breaker strip .having longitudinally extending grooves pressed on said strips between the marginal walls and with the gripping flanges received in said grooves, and longitudinally extending bendable gripping flanges on the walls bent down into intimate binding contact with the outer face of said breaker strip.

4. In an insulated Wall construction for freezers, refrigerators and the like of the type including inner and outer wall shells; inwardly directed supporting flanges formed on the shells and disposed inwandly of the outer marginal edges thereof, said supporting flanges being disposed at right angles to the shells, struck up gripping lugs on the inner edges of said flanges, and struck up arms on said flanges disposed at right angles thereto and in spaced relation to the shells, a breaker strip having seats on its inner face pressed into intimate contact with the supporting flanges and with the gripping lugs in the seats and between said arms, and bendable tongues on the upper edges of said arms engaging the outer surface of the breaker strip.

5. In an insulated wall construction for freezers, refrigerators and the like as defined in claim 4, a flat outer trim strip engaging the breaker strip and overlying said bendable tongues, and marginal trim strips fitted over the outer face of the shells and over the trim strip and having inwardly projecting ribs engaging the inner surface of the arms and the shells.

6. In an insulated wall construction for freezers,

refrigerators and the like of the type including inner and outer wall shells; inwardly directed supporting flanges carried by the marginal edges of said shells, a sub-breaker strip fitted against the outer faces of said flanges and bridging the shells, said breaker strip having formed on its inner face longitudinally extending spaced grooves, substantially right-angularly extending gripping members carried by the outer edges of said flanges received in said grooves, and bendable clamping members carried by the flanges forced into intimate engagement with the outer face of the strip urging the strip into intimate contact With the flanges and the gripping members in the grooves for rigidly uniting the shells together through the breaker strip.

7. In an insulated wall construction for freezers, refrigerators and the like as defined in claim 6, and said grooves being of a greater width than the thickness of the gripping members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,386,387 Drake Oct. 9, 1945 2,518,673 Ellsworth Aug. 15, 1950 2,750,065 Wallenbrock July 12, 1956 2,792,959 Diamond May 21, 1957 

